The ‘heat apocalypse’ across the globe, from China to England, has only shown how climate change is real and here. Climate action has become a necessity as climate and sustainability challenges hit a tipping point globally. Experts have put a 25 percent loss in gross domestic product by 2100, an economic impact arising out of severe heatwaves and sea levels.
At this crucial juncture as the efforts to mitigate climate change gathers momentum, Boston Consulting Group has launched ‘BCG Center for Sustainable Earth’, a climate and sustainability focussed centre inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India. “Climate agenda is the highest priority for the government but economic growth with pollution is not a good strategy,” Gadkari said addressing a gathering of industry stalwarts at the launch of the centre. The hub at BCG’s Delhi NCR office will serve as a platform for collaborative climate action in India across multiple stakeholders. Gadkari also stressed on the need for prioritising making green hydrogen from water. He urged the industry to encourage use of ethanol for transportation which is economical and pollution-free.
The idea behind the hub is to stimulate thought leadership and drive innovative action in priority areas, like bringing a sharp focus on AI and technological capabilities to drive climate solutions. Anirban Mukherjee, Managing Director and Partner, BCG India, said, “India currently constitutes about 6 percent of global carbon emissions and is growing at around 38 percent, amongst the highest in the world. If the intensity continues on the current trajectory, India’s emissions are estimated to increase by 11x, making it the second highest emitter by 2050 in BRICs, following China. The BCG Center for Sustainable Earth aims to help achieve the government’s 2030 NDC (nationally determined contributions) and 2070 net zero goals, while balancing the energy security and adequacy of our growing economy.”
Some of the key objectives of the centre include focus on local innovation, balancing climate challenges against demands of economic growth, ‘call to action’ approach across Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience. They will also facilitate research and data-led problem solving, besides acting as a space to test cutting-edge technologies from across the globe and be a platform to mentor and guide start-ups focused on clean tech.
